The under-17 championships will take place in Sydney, Nova Scotia, while the under-15‘s will play in Quinte West, Ontario. All games will be streamed online through Canada Soccer YouTube channel from Oct. 9-14.
Each October, the best club teams from across the country gather to contest for national championships. Youth teams from Saskatoon claimed all four spots and will represent Saskatchewan.
Here is your breakdown.
Under-17 boys Saskatoon Alliance
For this group of boys, it will be their third straight trip to club nationals. Last year, they came within a single shot of a final-four appearance. After a big upset win over Quebec, it was a shootout loss to Nova Scotia in the quarter-final that would send the boys onto a sixth-place finish.
Not short of talent, nor experience, Tristao Hein leads this team offensively. Hein has been making a name for himself on the national stage having claimed golden boots the past two club nationals after scoring more than any other player with 14.
Last year’s results set the groups for the 2024 competition. It is an ideal schedule for Alliance. In its group of five, Saskatoon avoids heavyweights B.C., Ontario, and Quebec. Instead it will be a trio of Maritime teams, along with familiar foes Edmonton BTB from Alberta.
Nothing less than a podium finish will be satisfying for this determined group of young men.
Under-17 girls Saskatoon Alliance
It will be an all-Prairie group of three when the Saskatoon Alliance touches down in Nova Scotia. Edmonton and Winnipeg will be its first-round opponents.
Alliance qualified by defeating two Regina teams in the Prairie Soccer League playoffs. This included a shootout win over FCR Bluestars and a provincial title away victory over first-place Queen City United.
Jana van Niekerk and Lexie Reagan lead the goal scoring efforts for Alliance but it’s well-balanced team: strong in the midfield with good pace on the wings and anchored by an excellent defensive core along with two experienced keepers. Head coach Mark Lord is full of experience, having taken many teams to nationals.
The Alliance will need to finish top two in the group to reach the knockout round.
Under-15 boys ASTRA Academy
In a tightly contested season, it was ASTRA who emerged victorious. Maximo Alvarado scored 11 times to lead the Academy. ASTRA won the provincial final with a 3-2 win over Queen City United in Regina. Johan Soria scored twice in the upset victory.
It will be ASTRA’s second-straight appearance at club nationals. With a 50/50 mix of players born in 2009 and 2010, some juniors have cracked the starting lineup. They have focused on their training and are well prepped for their upcoming week.
The boys find themselves in a pool of three against Newfoundland and Alberta. They’ll need to finish top two to get through to the quarter-finals.
Under-15 girls Saskatoon Alliance
It will be a full 2009-born Alliance club making its nationals debut. With players from all five zones, this tight-knit unit is led by its their three captains: Kiera Saunders, Lily-Claire Vandeven and Mackenzie Eggum.
Playing an aggressive high press that puts opponents under relentless pressure, it’s been the pesky and talented Calla Zimmer along with Elizabeth Hanson who created the crucial goals when needed.
They find themselves in a pool of five opening up against Manitoba. Then it’s the hosts Ontario, followed by P.E.I .and B.C. Where they finish will decide which crossover placings match they’ll be in. If they finish top two, they’ll be playing for a medal in their final game.
Trophy-less since Eastside in 2012
It has been 12 years since a team from Saskatchewan lifted a trophy. To date, Eastside Vortex, the under-18 girl’s champions of 2012 are the only side from Saskatoon to win a youth club national title.
The under-17 championships will take place in Sydney, Nova Scotia, while the under-15‘s will play in Quinte West, Ontario. All games will be streamed online through Canada Soccer YouTube channel from Oct. 9-14.
(Lee Kormish, a freelance writer, can be reached at [email protected] . Or you can follow Lee’s World Cup Channel on youtube)
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